Toronto Moves to Deport Alleged Nazi War Criminal

March 22, 1995

Canada has launched proceedings to deport a Toronto man accused of participating in the execution of civilians in wartime Latvia.

Papers filed in Federal Court here say that Erichs Tobiass obtained Canadian citizenship by concealing his membership in the Arajs Kommando from 1941 though 1943. The Latvian auxiliary unit, subordinate to the SS, participated in the execution of the country’s Jews. Canada’s Immigration Department also charged Tobiass, now in his 80s, with membership in the Waffen SS from 1943 until the end of the war.

Tobiass is one of four suspected war criminals Justice Minister Allan Rock is moving to deport. The government is first moving to strip Tobiass of his Canadian citizenship.

Charges against two other suspected war criminals living in Toronto who allegedly obtained Canadian citizenship by false representation are likely to be filed before the end of March, according to Immigration spokesman Roger White. Another Toronto-area man who is a permanent resident of Canada faces an inquiry before the appeal division of the Immigration and Refugee Board.